QT dispersion in dynamic and static group of athletes

Measurement of QT dispersion as calculated from the 12-lead ECG has emerged as a non-invasive assessment for degree of myocardial inhomogeneity. Increased QT dispersion predicts sudden cardiac death in variety of disease states such as acute myocardial infarction and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. To improve identification of athletes at high risk of sudden death, resting electrocardiograms were performed on 100 dynamic athletes (sprinters, middle and long distance runners), 50 static athletes (Hammer throwers, Weight lifters) and 100-matched control group. QT dispersion was defined as maximum QT interval minus minimum QT interval in a lead. The correlation between QT dispersion and the athletes demographic characteristics revealed that significant correlations existed between QT dispersion and age, SBP, DBP, MBP, body temperature and duration of athletic activity (DAA) [P < 0.05]. Similarly, no significant correlation existed between QT dispersion and Heart rate, height, weight and body mass index (BMI). This showed that increased QT dispersion is found in Dynamic and Static group of athletes and is significantly related to duration of athletic activity. This finding could be used for the identification of athletes at high risk of sudden death.